Even though the economy is tanking, you and your husband decide now's the time to plan that much-anticipated vacation together. With your economic stimulus package check in hand, you decide to splurge and get away from it all for a few days. But there are a lot of details to sort out before you hit the road -- or the air.

There are two major determining factors in selecting your destination, according to Amy Briggs, wife and mom of two.

"First we determine the budget for the trip, as well as the objective. Is the point of the trip to be a relaxation vacation, a family destination, an educational trip, or a lively experience? If we can agree on the purpose and the budget, two fundamentals, the trip itself actually shapes up rather quickly," she says.

If your husband is truly easy going, it may not be that difficult to come up with a spot that's just fine for you both.

"We kind of plan them together, and like anything in a marriage, there has to be compromise," says Ted Lorson. "Since I was one of five siblings growing up, we never went on any vacations at all, except to visit my grandmother in Cleveland -- so I'm very agreeable."

To get started on selecting a location, you can either peruse the Internet or try the old tried-and-true method of visiting a travel agent. Lisa Herrick, leisure manager at Carroll Travel, says your best bet is to go to a travel agency, where you can check out books and brochures on a variety of locals.

If you don't want to annoy your husband by planning your entire itinerary without him, go in together, Herrick says. Even if you haven't discussed what you want before you go to an agency, a good agent will be able to ask questions to lead you to the perfect getaway. It's as simple as knowing what you like, and what you would like to get out of your vacation.

If you're looking for a beach vacation, decide what you and your husband like about the beach. If you want quiet and secluded, you will likely have to sacrifice some of those fun activities, but that may be just what you're looking for.

For instance, Turks & Caicos and Tortola are known for beautiful, quiet beaches, but you won't find a lot of nightlife or shopping there. St. Thomas, Aruba and the Bahamas, on the other hand, have the nightlife that many vacationers seek. Grand Cayman Island is another hot spot for those looking for lots to do. If your husband loves golf or is into water sports, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia and Antigua are good choices.

What if you're looking for a little history on your vacation? Mexico is popular for its ruins and beautiful beaches. Besides Cancun, there's Riviera Maya, which has a Mayan site right on the beach. Snorkeling and other water sports are available. And, if you're hoping for a little relaxation, you can spend a day at the spa.

If your significant other likes to gamble, a cruise might be your thing, Herrick says. Many cruises have casinos. So, you and hubby can eat and drink to your heart's content; and, if you don't like a particular port, another one will come along in a day or two.

Other popular destinations, according to Herrick, are cruises in Europe and Hawaii. And, believe it or not, lots of couples visit Disney World without kids and enjoy every minute of being a kid again.

If you're looking for a great vacation at a bargain price, Mexico and the Dominican Republic, particularly Punta Cana, are a good deal. And, starting this summer, Mexico will be even more convenient, with nonstop flights out of Bradley to Cancun. While it's just a drop in the bucket when you're planning a vacation, you can save about 100 bucks by visiting Hawaii, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, because you won't need a passport.

Once your trip is planned out, what's the key to making the most of it?

"Advanced planning is the key to any successful vacation," says Briggs. "Researching what we would like to do and see ahead of time pays off in the long run. Most of the time is unstructured but we have a general outline of what we want to do each day so that we know what can realistically be accomplished. We also have to remain flexible. If we don't end up hitting all the sites or checking off all of the activities that we had planned, it is OK. After all, it can give you an excuse to plan a return visit!"